Retort structure



c. E. HARRISON RETORT STRUCTURE Filed Sept. 18, 1934 n rm. mfl Ire. Hanmi .m u Ma f. 6 3 0 1 Patented Apr. 26, 1938 PATENT oFricE "4 Claims..(Cl. -108) This invention relates to retort structures, and

more particularly to retort structures for underfeed stokers. i Retortstructures of the character set forth usually comprise -apair ofsubstantially horizontal cylinders in which operate the main fuelfeeding-ram and the' distributing pusher, respectively, a fuelsupporting surface, and a hopper from which fuel is supplied to the fuelsupporting surface. During operation of a furnace it often happens thateither the ram cylinder or the fuel supporting portion of the hopperbecomes damaged due to the abrasiveaction of the fuel or to the erosiveaction thereon caused by the chemi-' cal elements'of the fuel, and as aresult in the older constructions'the entire structure must be renewed.The present invention, however, contemplates a structure which providesa renewable ram cylinder; and alsorenewable wear plates in I the bottomof the hopper so that in the event any of these partsshould becomedamageditiis only necessary to renew the damaged part.

Another object is to provide a generally improved retort structure whichmay be used interchangeably with those in existing stokers.

Another object of the invention is to provide wear plates in the bottomof the hopper, which may berenewed through the inlet opening of thehopper while the stoker is in operation.

A further object is to provide an improved retort structure having arenewable ramcylinder which is soconstructed as to provide a greaterbearingv surface for the ram without increasing the overall length ofthe structure, and without materially decreasing the amount of fuel fedat each stroke of the ram; .1 f

A still further object is to provide an extension on a ram cylinder ofthe stated character which increases the bearing surface for the ramand. which is so arranged as to be substantially free from the corrosiveand erosive action of the fuel.

Other and further objects will become apparent as the description of theinvention progresses.

Of the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of the retort structure comprising thepresent invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the ram. cylinder associated with theretort structure showing the extension provided thereon.

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevational view taken substantially on line 3--3of Fig. 4, through the hopper portion of the retort structure looking inthe direction of the fuel bed.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially on line 44of Fig. 3.

Fig. '5 is an enlarged fragmentary View of a portion of the structureshown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a plan View of the hopper portion of 5 the retort structure,with certain parts broken away to show the structure thereof, and alsoof the wear plates mounted in the hopper.

Referring to the drawing, the numeral I designates generally the retortstructure comprising the present invention which consists of a main bodyportion 2, and a main ram cylinder 3. The body portion 2 comprises aninclined substantially flat fuel supporting surface l, which is adaptedto be secured to the side plates of a stoker retort, a hopper 5 forreceiving the fuel to'be fed to the retort, and a forwardly projecting,substantially horizontal cylinder ii for receiving a fuel feeding anddistributing pusher (not shown).

:Hopper 5 terminates at the bottom thereof in a substantially U-shapedportion 1, having provided therein a similarly shaped recess 8 in whichis seated a series of renewable wear plates 9, Ill, H and I2respectively, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The wear portion of the hopper5 terminates in a substantially rectangular discharge opening I3,whereas the opening at the front end thereof is substantiallycylindrical toconform with the bore of cylinder 3. The front end of bodyportion 2 is provided with a flange M against which abuts a companionflange [5 provided on the left hand end of cylinder 3, and a series ofstud bolts l6 extending through these flanges rigidly secures cylinder 3to body portion 2. The upper and inner end of cylinder 3 is providedwith a semi-cylindrical extension l? which in assembly extends into thehopper 5, as shown more clearly in Fig. 4. This extension providesadditional bearing surface for the ram, and being mounted at the upperend of the cylinder, is not subjected to the abrasive or chemicalaction. of the fuel. By this construction a greater bearing surface isprovided for the ram without increasing the overall length of the retortstructure. An improved retort structure has therefore been providedwhich may be readily interchanged with those in stokers previouslyconstructed. Cylinder 3 has also provided in the lower side thereof alongitudinal slot l8 through which a portion of the operating mechanismfor the ram and pusher extends. Reinforcing ribs |9 extendinglongitudinally of cylinder 3 between flange l5 and an hopper.

outer flange 20 provide the necessary strength to said cylinder.

The side walls 2'1 and 28 of hopper 5 incline downwardly, while the sidewalls 23 and 24 of discharge opening 13 are substantially vertical, asshown more particularly in Fig. 3 of the drawing. The lower portion ofthe rear wall of the hopper, disposed on either side of dischargeopening I3, is substantially vertical and forms with the side walls 21and 28 of the hopper and the side walls 23 and 24 of the dischargeopening a pair of triangular portions 2| and 22. Wear plate 9 is made upin one piece and consists of an-inclined, forwardly extending portion21', a triangular portion 2!, and a substantially vertical, rearwardlyextending portion 23, which in assembly lie in abutting relation withwall 21, triangular portion 2|, and wall 23, respectively, as shown inFigs. 3, 4 and 6. Wear plate I2 is similarly constructed and comprisesan inclined, forwardly extending portion 28, a triangular portion 22,and a rearwardly extending, substantially vertical portion 24, which inassembly lie in abutting relation with wall 28, triangular portion 22,and wall 24, respectively. Wear plates 9 and I2 are secured at one endof each to walls 23 and 24, respectively, of discharge opening l3, bybolts 25, and at their other ends to walls 21 and 28, respectively, ofhopper 5, by bolts 26. Wear plates l0 and H are secured to the bottom ofthe hopper by bolts 29. Plates 9, 10, II and I2 may be formed of castiron and chilled so as to present a hard outer surface adapted towithstand the corrosive as well as erosive action of the fuel. Theseplates may also be constructed of steel or any suitable alloy if it isso desired. In order to renew plate 9, II], II or I2, it is onlynecessary to remove the fastening bolts and extract the plates throughthe inlet opening of the New plates may then be set in place and thenbolted in position. Such renewals obviously may be readily made evenwhile the stoker is in operation.

As shown more particularly in Fig. 5, the wear plates are at all timesout of contact with the ram, and therefore do not in any mannerconstitute a support therefor. The ram is supported entirely by the ramcylinder 3.

While the embodiment herein shown and described is admirably adapted tofulfill the objects primarily stated, it is to be understood that theinvention may be embodied in other forms, all coming within the scope ofclaims which follow.

What is claimed is:

l. A new and useful article of manufacture comprising a wear plate forhoppers, said wear plate consisting of a pair of substantially fiatportions arranged in offset spaced relation and at an angle to eachother, and a substantially triangular portion connecting the adjacentends of said flat portions.

2. A retort structure for stoker furnaces, comprising an inclined fuelsupporting portion, a cylinder integral with said fuel supportingportion communicating with the interior thereof. and a hopper integralwith and disposed forwardly of the upper end of said fuel supportingportion, said hopper having front, rear, and side walls, said side wallsinclining downwardly and inwardly and terminating in a substantiallyarouate bottom wall, said bottom wall and a portion of said side wallshaving a recess therein adapted to receive Wear plates, said rear wallhaving a discharge opening therein communicating with said fuelsupporting portion, and a substantially vertical, triangular portiondisposed at either side of said discharge opening.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination of a retortstructure, and a ram cylinder detachably secured thereto, said retortstructure comprising an inclined fuel supporting portion, a cylinderintegral with said fuel supporting portion and communicating with theinterior thereof, and a hopper integral with and disposed forwardly ofthe upper end of said fuel supporting portion, said hopper having front,rear and side walls, said side walls inclining downwardly and inwardlyand terminating in a substantially arcuate bottom wall, said bottom walland a portion of said side walls having a recess provided therein toreceive wear plates, and said rear wall having a discharge openingtherein communicating with said fuel supporting portion, and asubstantially vertical triangular portion disposed at either side ofsaid discharge opening.

4. A ram cylinder adapted for attachment to the front end of a retortstructure, having a, longitudinal slot provided at the lower sidethereof, a transversely disposed flange provided at one end of saidcylinder having bolt receiving recess therein, a second transverselydisposed flange provided at the other end of said cylinder, reinforcingribs extending between said flanges, and a substantially semicircularprojection integral with the upper portion of said cylinder andextending longitudinally from said first mentioned flange, the innersurface of said semicircular projection forming an extension of theinner surface of said cylinder, thereby providing an extended bearingsurface for the ram.

CLIFFORD E'. HARRISON.

